See also

Major milestone reached
in preparation for 1 January 2013 launch of Cooperative Patent Classification

1 October 2012

The European
Patent Office (EPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
are pleased to announce that the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) scheme
and some finalised CPC definitions are now available in preparation for the 1 January
2013 official launch. The CPC is a joint project aimed at developing a common classification
scheme for technical documents, in particular patent publications, which will
be used by both offices in the patent granting process.

The EPO and USPTO have worked jointly to develop CPC, and
the results are now being made available through a "CPC launch package" which includes
the complete CPC scheme, any finalised CPC definitions and an ECLA-to-CPC-to-IPC
concordance.

The CPC scheme is based on the latest version of the International
Patent Classification (IPC) system, with sections A through H plus an
additional section Y which includes new technological developments and
cross-sectional technologies. There are approximately 250 000 classification
symbols available in the CPC. The CPC definitions will be available for every CPC
subclass and will contain a description of the technical subject-matter covered
in the subclass. Eventually, each CPC subclass will have a corresponding CPC
definition that will be continuously maintained. The CPC-to-IPC concordance
will help users find the relevant IPC area on which the CPC is based.

"The EPO and the USPTO have every reason to be proud of what
they have achieved in the remarkably short space of time since the agreement
that initiated the project was signed on 25 October 2010," said EPO President
Battistelli. He added: "In less than two years, we have finalised and published
a joint scheme incorporating the best classification practices of both offices,
which will align our patent procedures more closely and deliver major efficiency
gains. In the process, the CPC will be a stepping stone towards a more general
harmonisation of the world's patent systems."

"This is an important milestone for the USPTO and EPO as we
continue to eliminate duplication of work between the two Offices," said Under
Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David
Kappos.

The website, www.cpcinfo.org,
contains detailed information about the new classification scheme, including downloadable sections of the scheme, CPC
definitions and concordances. It also provides information on the
progress of the project, offering presentation materials and other useful
information for our stakeholders, including other patent offices worldwide, industry
and users.

The CPC is a detailed IPC-based patent classification scheme
that will enable efficient prior art searches to be conducted. It will incorporate
the best classification practices of both the US and European systems. It is also
expected to enhance efficiency by supporting work-sharing initiatives designed
to reduce unnecessary work duplication.